African bullfrog

The Zoo has one African bullfrog on exhibit. It arrived at the Zoo on April 14, 2008. Three other African bullfrogs are housed off-exhibit and used for education programs.

Viewing Hints

We have one juvenile African bullfrog on exhibit in the Desert Wing of the Reptile and Amphibian House. Look carefully at the floor of the exhibit. This species of frog is a burrower and may be hiding in the moss.

Where to find me in the Zoo

Reptile and Amphibian House

Fun Facts

The female can produce 3,000-4,000 eggs that will develop into tadpoles in just two days!

The African Bullfrog is considered an exotic pet in many countries around the world, mostly in Germany.

The loud, roar-like bellowing call of the African bullfrog is especially notable and seems to suit its large size.

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This species of frog is the second largest in the world. Both sexes are a dull green in color with a yellow or cream colored underside. Juveniles have several yellowish stripes on their backs, which fade as they mature. It has a round body with a large head and mouth. Only the back feet are webbed. The African bullfrog will eat anything that it can overpower and fit in its mouth.

Longevity

15-25 years is not uncommon in captivity.

Behavior

During the dry season the African bullfrog buries itself deep in the soil and covers itself with a cocoon. The cocoon is made up of layers of dead skin and prevents water loss. When the rainy season starts they will congregate and breed in shallow, temporary pools of water.

Reproduction

The frogs will gather in large groups to breed during the rainy season. Males can be very aggressive and will combat other males for territory and the right to breed with female African bullfrogs.

Size

Adult males are slightly larger than the adult females. The males can be over 9 inches in length making this the largest species of frog in southern Africa.

Weight

This species has been known to weigh over 3 lbs.

Diet

African bull frogs are carnivores they are aggressive and have very sharp teeth. The wild African bull frog will eat anything that fits into its mouth including insects, small rodents and birds, reptiles and other amphibians. At the Zoo, the frogs are offered a variety of whole prey including mice and a variety of insects.

Geographic Range

Dry savanahs that fill with water during the rainy season in southern Africa.

Amphibian Conservation

Conservation at a Glance

Amphibians are an important component of the global ecosystem, as indicators of environmental health and contributors to human health.

Amphibians provide vital biomedicines and are considered an indicator species for endocrine disruptors and unsafe environmental conditions

They are also vital components of their ecosystems - in areas of the world where amphibians have declined, there has been an increase in invertebrate pests that damage crops and carry human diseases.

Today, one third to one half of all amphibian species worldwide are threatened with extinction.

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has joined with two branches of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) - the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) and the Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) - to form the Amphibian Ark (AArk).

As an integral part of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, AArk was formulated to ensure that select species which would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild.

AArk keeps constant attention on the obligation to couple ex situ (in a captive setting) conservation measures with necessary efforts to protect or restore species in their natural habitats.

AArk’s goal is to save as many species as possible by providing global coordination, technical guidance, training, necessary linkages to other IUCN groups, communications, and guiding publicity and capital campaigns.

AArk’s goal is 100% participation of WAZA zoos and aquariums and the regional associations.